How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles in your home are an important part of the decor. A new handle can transform your space and bring your decor up-to-date.

Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.

door handle lock repair Knobs

Door handles can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can change them in just a few easy steps.

You need to locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can use to press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, put the rod for latching over the hole in the upvc door handle repair and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some people prefer an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. This can be matched with the furniture they have. Some prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues You may think about the rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are two major issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles like those which can be operated by a person's forearm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open may wear out over time. Changing out the old latch to accommodate the new handle is a simple DIY job and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you are using the latch could be a part of the knob itself, or it could be an independent piece attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling will apply. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly when you have a patio door handle Repair near me handle with a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver, while others just snap off.

The next step is to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handles repair near me handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip - you will need to keep these in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.

Now you can start on the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it using the provided screws.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and ensure that your door handles repair near me stays shut.

To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, this indicates that your door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is over the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door You may be able to just attach the new strike plate into the door over the old one with the screws included with it. But, you may have to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case Be careful not to be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new strike plate, which provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to fix the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.

This strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of durable solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the right hardware for the job. Be aware that the wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.